For the 26th time, the U.S. House has voted to repeal all or part of Obamacare. In another party-line vote today, Republicans voted to delete a central component of the law: the Independent Payment Advisory Board, a panel empowered to make changes to Medicare. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Bradenton, who sided with the majority in the 223-181 vote, said, No group of unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats should be tasked with deciding what constitutes necessary care for our nations seniors.

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam will plant a citrus tree to officially open the Fresh From Florida Greenhouse exhibit in the LEGOLAND family theme park on March 29, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reported Thursday.

U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Miramar, released a statement Thursday saying the investigation into the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin shouldnt have taken a month. He also questioned the states "Stand Your Ground" law.

Barack Obama's appearance at a southern spur of the Keystone pipeline was a surreal event Thursday. Though the president continues to block the northern end of the pipeline, he claimed that his administration is working harder than ever to encourage oil production.

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced the appointment of: Michael MJ Johnston as chief information officer; Susan Nardizzi as the director of the Division of Marketing and Development; Dr. Tiffiani Onifade as the director of the Division of Food Safety; Travis Tucker as the director of the Division of Fruit and Vegetables at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Louisiana, which will have 46 delegates at the Republican convention in Tampa come August, holds its presidential primary on Saturday and Rick Santorum has an impressive lead in the Pelican State. A Rasmussen Reports poll of likely Louisiana Republican primary voters unveiled on Thursday finds Santorum ahead of the pack with 43 percent while Mitt Romney places second with 31 percent. Newt Gingrich places third with 16 percent and Ron Paul trails with 5 percent, while 5 percent are undecided and 1 percent back other candidates.

In an interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who endorsed Mitt Romney for the Republican presidential nomination on Wednesday, took himself out of the vice presidential mix but did recommend a fellow GOP favorite from the Sunshine State for the job -- U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. From the article:

After his win in Illinois on Tuesday, Mitt Romney is looking to take Louisiana, which holds its primary on Saturday, from Rick Santorum and effectively seal up the Republican presidential race. The Romney team is going all out to win the Pelican State and is bringing out some of Louisianas top Republicans. U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-La., made the case on Wednesday for Romney.

Hundreds marched through the streets of New York City on Wednesday night to protest the death of Sanford teen Trayvon Martin. Dubbed the Million Hoodie March" by organizers, the circuit began in Manhattans Union Square. The Associated Press reported that Martins father and mother -- Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton -- in town for media interviews, thanked the crowd for its enthusiasm.

The U.S. Supreme Court dealt President Obama's Environmental Protection Agency a blow on Wednesday. According to CNN, the Supremes gave an Idaho couple another chance to challenge a government ruling barring construction of their "dream house," an important property rights defeat for the Obama administration.

State Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, wants the Florida Senate to bring together a select committee to go on a "fact-finding mission" in the next 30 days to investigate the condition of racism in Sanford in the wake of last month's shooting of Trayvon Martin. Siplin outlined his request during a press conference at the Capitol in Tallahassee on Wednesday.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott and the Republican Party of Florida are taking credit for the unemployment rate going down in the Sunshine State. The RPOF is running a new television commercial praising Scotts policies -- namely reducing regulations and slashing red tape -- which have helped lower the unemployment rate.

Gov. Rick Scott has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff Friday at all state correctional institutions for Lake City correctional officer Sgt. Ruben Thomas, who was stabbed by an inmate at the Columbia Correctional Institution Annex. Flags are to be lowered from sunrise to sunset at all Florida Department of Corrections institutions statewide, the City Hall of Lake City, and the Columbia County Courthouse.

U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, announced Wednesday that he is co-sponsoring "No Budget, No Pay" legislation that would block members' pay if Congress misses deadlines for budget and appropriations bills. Year after year, Congress misses important deadlines and puts off until the last minute bills that must pass to keep the government open, Rooney said. The Senate hasnt even written a budget in three years. Its no wonder the only thing worse than our credit rating is our approval rating."

Gov. Rick Scott named Phillip Pena, of Gainesville, to the Alachua County Court. Phillip has an excellent reputation as a skilled, hard-working and fair prosecutor, Scott stated in a release. I am confident that he will bring these qualities to the bench, along with a deep respect for the role of the judiciary and the rule of law. He will serve the people of Alachua County well.